Re: Ground versus air

["Connie J. Larkin" <cjlarkin@citlink.net>]

Thanks Eric.
----- Original Message -----
From: "PrimaNoctes209" <primanoctes209@home.com>
To: <flightmed@flightweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 11:58 PM
Subject: Re: Ground versus air


Connie, I was unable to find current statistics for EMS helicopter
accidents/incidents.  I did several quick searches on the NASA, NTSB and FAA
web sites.  Anecdotally, the past several years have been very bad for EMS
helicopters in regard to crashes and fatalities.  Several months ago I do
recall reading a NASA study regarding helicopter flights.  It made a point
to clarify an old saying that 'flying is safer than driving a car.'  Their
data suggested that is not true for EMS helicopter flights.

Your post does raise several questions though.  You stated that the
helicopter service was offering a "flat rate" for "all" of your "stable"
transports.  Although the helicopter service is offering your facility a
flat rate can I assume that this cost will ultimately be passed on to the
patient?  Being a small/rural ED I doubt you have the resources to "eat"
that cost nor is the helicopter service going to lose money.

I am sure you are aware the cost difference between a ground ambulance
transport and a helicopter transport can be many thousand dollars.  As most
health insurance providers will tell you, a helicopter transport needs to be
medically necessary.  Exceptions are made when the road is impassable or
unsafe do to ice, drifting snow etc.,

The fact that your ambulance service has had a bit of bad luck with loose
animals on the roadway does not justify a helicopter transport for every
patient that needs to go to a tertiary facility.  I also doubt that most of
your patients are willing to pay that money out of their pocket when a
ground ambulance transport was more appropriate and their insurance denied
the reimbursement.  Many ambulance services do much farther transports than
the 75 miles you spoke of.

My suggestion would be to carry good auto insurance on your ambulances and
perhaps install a large cow-catcher on the front.  Seriously, if the
ambulance service is concerned with safety during ground transports there
are several courses out there that train personnel for emergency driving.
Emergency Vehicle Operations Courses are taught by many law enforcement, EMS
and fire departments.

I hope this helps you.

Sincerely,

Eric E. Kincaid, CCEMTP
Flight Paramedic
Saint Alphonsus-Life Flight
Boise, ID USA